New next-gen Army 50mm cannon destroys targets in live-fire demo

[braindrain]

No, actually it was the M16A2. The A1 had been retired by the mid-1980's. Most notable differences between the 2 are the round forward handgrips, a 3 round burst instead of full auto, finger adjustable sights at the rear of the weapon, and a heavier barrel.



Actually, what was fielded was originally Ford Era.

And there was never a problem with "response time and hit ratio". What you saw in the Gulf War was a prototype software package that was rushed into service that allowed a system designed to only hit aircraft to also hit missiles. And the "failure" was not in the system itself, but the missiles that they fired.

The first generation PATRIOT missile was as stated, intended to shoot down aircraft. And as such, it used the tried and true method that had been used since WWII. A proximity fuse so that when the missile was close it would "shred" the aircraft with essentially a giant shotgun blast of shrapnel. The problem was that this was almost completely ineffective against ballistic missiles. The software was patched and newer generations of missiles were designed to solve both of those issues. In 2003 100% of Iraqi SCUD missiles targeted were destroyed.



Hell, the LAW was never really intended to be an "anti-tank weapon". It was designed to go after much softer targets like a BMP or bunker. For tanks we had the TOW, the DRAGON, and the COPPERHEAD. And even by 2000 it had been replaced by the AT4 for most of those tasks. It did have a last runthrough from 2000-2005, as you could carry more LAWs than you could AT4s, and it was more than enough for the unreinforced brick buildings that most enemies were trying to shoot from. But I am pretty sure it is once again no longer in use, as the supplies have either all been expended or expired.

Heck, even the Marine Corps medium anti-tank weapon (SMAW) is currently being replaced with a more modern variant. No more 9mm spotter rifle firing tracers.

The LAW is still in service. Fired a few just a couple months ago actually.
Though as far as the Army is concerned I am pretty sure they are now SOF only. And I think some of the newer versions were as well.

 

[LosAngelesAngel]

The 50mm, in combination with its airburst rounds, will bring a new ability to destroy targets in “defilade” or otherwise not observable to attackers due to an obstruction such as a rock or wall. By exploding at a predetermined point above or near the intended target, airburst rounds disperse lethal explosive material such that it can destroy an enemy hiding behind a rock. With the 50mm gun, you can suppress targets out to 4,200 meters as opposed to 2,200 meters with the current gun in use. :blastem:

~ Sounds like a big improvement.

 

[Oborosen]

New next-gen Army 50mm cannon destroys targets in live-fire demo | Fox News

We need to work on missile defense too. Not sure how much of an explosion occurred, since the pictured ammo is practice ammo.

I think we should start working on bolter rifles at this point and have the power armor to back it up. Get Germany in on the genetics and Japan in on the cybernetics... boom. PROFIT!!!

 

[American]

When are we gonna get laser guns already

How about phasers?

 

[apdst]

No, actually it was the M16A2. The A1 had been retired by the mid-1980's. Most notable differences between the 2 are the round forward handgrips, a 3 round burst instead of full auto, finger adjustable sights at the rear of the weapon, and a heavier barrel.



Actually, what was fielded was originally Ford Era.

And there was never a problem with "response time and hit ratio". What you saw in the Gulf War was a prototype software package that was rushed into service that allowed a system designed to only hit aircraft to also hit missiles. And the "failure" was not in the system itself, but the missiles that they fired.

The first generation PATRIOT missile was as stated, intended to shoot down aircraft. And as such, it used the tried and true method that had been used since WWII. A proximity fuse so that when the missile was close it would "shred" the aircraft with essentially a giant shotgun blast of shrapnel. The problem was that this was almost completely ineffective against ballistic missiles. The software was patched and newer generations of missiles were designed to solve both of those issues. In 2003 100% of Iraqi SCUD missiles targeted were destroyed.



Hell, the LAW was never really intended to be an "anti-tank weapon". It was designed to go after much softer targets like a BMP or bunker. For tanks we had the TOW, the DRAGON, and the COPPERHEAD. And even by 2000 it had been replaced by the AT4 for most of those tasks. It did have a last runthrough from 2000-2005, as you could carry more LAWs than you could AT4s, and it was more than enough for the unreinforced brick buildings that most enemies were trying to shoot from. But I am pretty sure it is once again no longer in use, as the supplies have either all been expended or expired.

Heck, even the Marine Corps medium anti-tank weapon (SMAW) is currently being replaced with a more modern variant. No more 9mm spotter rifle firing tracers.

The M16A1 was still in the system well into the 90's, in the Army. A lot of NG units didn't transition to the A2 until the mid to late 90's.

 

[Jredbaron96]

The M16A1 was still in the system well into the 90's, in the Army. A lot of NG units didn't transition to the A2 until the mid to late 90's.

Hell, my active unit sitll has A2s.

 

[apdst]

Hell, my active unit sitll has A2s.

When I was assigned reserve training detachment attached to the 256th Infantry brigade, A-2-156th infantry in Breaux Bridge, La. had two M-1 Garand sniper variants and four M-97 trench guns with bayonets.

 

[Tangmo]

When are we gonna get laser guns already

How about phasers?

The old BAR was quite the weapon -- Browning Automatic Rifle. I was fire team automatic rifleman in my uni Rotc FTX squad back in the early-mid 1960s. I have to say it like it is though, i.e., the grunt cadet trainee next to me farted faster than the Bar could pump 'em off. It wuz no saving grace Bar had a bigger kick than the cadets farts cause the farts scattered more opfor troops than my Bar did.

The Browning was always called a rifle rather an an automatic weapon. That's probably because you could hold the trigger back and take a smoke break while the sucker empied its magazine. Just be sure to keep your head down and your ass low. Gnaw off a chunk from a bar a hardtack while you were at it.

When we got the M-14 and I clicked on automatic it finally outfarted the cadet grunt. No contest. And we've come a long way from that. I'm thinking Browning Instamatic Phaser Gun.

It actually had a handle on it to carry. 48 inches packed into 16 pounds. Gas operated besides hence the jokes. The U.S. Model 1918A2 BAR served G.I.s well in World War II and Korea and was a modified version of Browning’s original design. (Whoever wrote this last line never talked to me about it in my time.)

Probably only talked to this spiffied up daisy. During WW I, Lt. Val Browning of the US Army Ordinance branch was assigned to go to France and train US forces on the use of his father’s military arms like the new BAR. Browning archives photo. We're actually talking about a WW I "light" machine gun that I was issued in 1964 for uni Rotc FTX.


“The BAR’s days as a front line automatic rifle are over,” concluded Canfield a bit wistfully. “However, few U.S. military small arms have garnered a better reputation or are looked upon with more respect than John Browning’s automatic rifle. From its baptism of fire in the trenches of France in 1918 to the steaming jungles of Guadalcanal or the frozen Chosin Reservoir, the BAR has served this nation with distinction.”

The Inside Story of the BAR, John M. Browning's Automatic Rifle


It's probably somewhat amazing the last guy to handle a Browning is still around to tell the tale of it. Certainly one of the last guys to do it.

 

[Oozlefinch]

The LAW is still in service. Fired a few just a couple months ago actually.
Though as far as the Army is concerned I am pretty sure they are now SOF only. And I think some of the newer versions were as well.

I never said the LAW was not in service, but nowhere near as much as it once was. The point was that the LAW was never an "anti-tank" weapon. It was only capable of going through the oldest of post-WWII era tanks at the time it was developed, not those contemporary to when it was developed.

It was intended to go after the BMP and BTR, and other infantry fighting vehicles. The weapon to go after tanks was the TOW and Dragon.

 

[Oozlefinch]

The M16A1 was still in the system well into the 90's, in the Army. A lot of NG units didn't transition to the A2 until the mid to late 90's.

*nods*

I have a friend who was in the California NG and deployed in 1990.

He told me he used the A1, until shortly before they got on the plane. They left the their light arms in their armory and picked up brand new A2s and other weapons the week before they flew out. Then turned them in when they returned.

 

[apdst]

*nods*

I have a friend who was in the California NG and deployed in 1990.

He told me he used the A1, until shortly before they got on the plane. They left the their light arms in their armory and picked up brand new A2s and other weapons the week before they flew out. Then turned them in when they returned.

The Louisiana Gaurd deployed to Desert Storm with their A1's, but those were support arms units. I'm not sure how many of them actually crossed into Iraq.

The 256th Brigade got A2's in 93, 94, IIRC. But, they didn't deploy to Desert Storm. Mobilized, but didn't deploy.

 

[Oozlefinch]

The Louisiana Gaurd deployed to Desert Storm with their A1's, but those were support arms units. I'm not sure how many of them actually crossed into Iraq.

The 256th Brigade got A2's in 93, 94, IIRC. But, they didn't deploy to Desert Storm. Mobilized, but didn't deploy.

Not unlike those who deploy today.

When stateside we are generally issued the 2000 era body armor. But right before we deploy we are given an issue of whatever the newest thing in the system. Then when we return we turn all of that stuff in and return to the almost 20 year old stuff.

And it is not unusual to see some really old things in armories. I know in 1990-1993 the unit I was with had weapons like the M14 and M1903 in their armory. But these were mostly used for ceremonial purposes (although they did drag them out once in a while for familiarization fire).

But it was fun watching one of the crusty Gunners (CWO4) potting dead center in a man sized target over and over again with an M1903 with iron sights at 600 yards. Turns out he had been a sniper in Vietnam, and that was his weapon of choice (but with a scope). Our KD range actually had a 600 yard line, it was built back when it was the West Coast MCRD from 1911 until 1923. This was the requirement when the M1903 was actually the military service rifle.

 

[apdst]

Not unlike those who deploy today.

When stateside we are generally issued the 2000 era body armor. But right before we deploy we are given an issue of whatever the newest thing in the system. Then when we return we turn all of that stuff in and return to the almost 20 year old stuff.

And it is not unusual to see some really old things in armories. I know in 1990-1993 the unit I was with had weapons like the M14 and M1903 in their armory. But these were mostly used for ceremonial purposes (although they did drag them out once in a while for familiarization fire).

But it was fun watching one of the crusty Gunners (CWO4) potting dead center in a man sized target over and over again with an M1903 with iron sights at 600 yards. Turns out he had been a sniper in Vietnam, and that was his weapon of choice (but with a scope). Our KD range actually had a 600 yard line, it was built back when it was the West Coast MCRD from 1911 until 1923. This was the requirement when the M1903 was actually the military service rifle.

When I was in the 5th ID (1988) our division sgt major would bring his Garand out and shoot 36-out-of-36 on the qualification range, shooting at pop-up targets. He was a sniper in Korea.

He did it to prove a point, but no doubt he enjoyed showing off...lol.

 

[braindrain]

I never said the LAW was not in service, but nowhere near as much as it once was. The point was that the LAW was never an "anti-tank" weapon. It was only capable of going through the oldest of post-WWII era tanks at the time it was developed, not those contemporary to when it was developed.

It was intended to go after the BMP and BTR, and other infantry fighting vehicles. The weapon to go after tanks was the TOW and Dragon.

Then I must have misread your post. My apologies.

 

[beerftw]

Hell, my active unit sitll has A2s.

In 4id I deployed with the a2 to afghanistan, used them before afghanistan, and used them in basic and ait, never got an m4 or an m16a4 until the national guard. I personally prefer the a2 over the a4 and m4, but I also just love the balance of the a2 and also prefer iron sights over optics so quad rails and modular systems never excited me much.